GLOBAL NEWS
Brussels and hopes to have fully proven the technology
developed within it. Vella says that because it is funded
through Horizon 2020, it will not be affected by Brexit.
Working with smaller mining companies, including UK-
based Mineco and Metal Innovation, the IMP@CT project
sets out to develop more resilient business models and
better technology for smaller-scale mineral extraction.
The project proposes a new switch-on / switch-off
mining paradigm that is based on updating technology
for improved agility, and reducing capex costs, so
miners can be more responsive to market demands.
“Using new and existing technology, project researchers
have developed containerised, mobile and modular
equipment that can be adapted for geological and
metallurgical variability,” says Vella.
Kate Moore, IMP@CT project lead and senior lecturer in
critical and green technology metals at the University
of Exeter says that the raw materials supply
sector has a problem responding rapidly
to changes in demand from the
technological manufacturing
sector. “We want to show a
rapid response approach is
technologically possible,”
says Moore.
“This technology makes
it possible to deploy an
underground mining
machine and a rock breaking
facility in a matter of hours.
A minerals processing
facility can be set up in just
a couple of weeks, compared
to potentially decades from
exploration to extraction for very
big mining deposits and months-long
installation activities.
LATIN AMERICA AND
ASIA-PACIFIC:
GROWTH DRIVES PPE
SECTOR
Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis of the global mining
industry personal protective equipment (PPE) market
reveals that the sector is set to garner revenues in
excess of USD3.4-billion by 2023, registering a CAGR
of 4.1% from 2018. Rising global demand for natural
resources and increasing investments by mining MNCs in
developing economies were identified as the key trends
driving the revenue boost.
African Mining February 2020
Frost & Sullivan’s latest research, Global Mining Industry
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, Forecast to
2023 provides a comprehensive analysis of the personal
protective equipment sector catering to the global mining
industry. The research examines key market drivers and
industry trends and offers detailed revenue forecasts
through the year 2023. Thorough region-wise and product-
wise market analyses are also presented.
In 2018, the Chinese mining industry contributed the
most to global PPE market revenues, generating USD529-
million, followed by the North American and Central
and Eastern European mining sectors, which
generated USD511-million and USD450-
million, respectively.
“Geological
potential, coupled
with the political stability
of the host countries, is
expected to play a key
role in fostering mining
activities.
“For countries that have a lot of technological
manufacturing, but are dependent on imported raw
materials, there’s going to be a big job to start raw
material production within that economy. But it’s
important for security of supply and not least because
if we’re thinking about climate change, we need to also
think about how far we’re shipping materials,”
says Moore.
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“As multinational mining companies have expanded their
geographic footprint, the focus on developing a safe
working environment has increased and has resulted in the
industry adopting a ‘safety-first’ culture,” says Sanjiv Bhaskar,
vice president of research, Frost & Sullivan. “This is expected
to support the demand for PPE in mining activities in the
coming years.”
However, Latin America and
the Rest of the World (RoW),
especially Asia-Pacific, are
most likely to emerge as the
fastest-growing mining PPE
markets in the next five years.
An abundance of natural
resources, the adoption of
progressive mining policies,
and the permeation of a robust
work safety culture from MNCs
to smaller mining organisations
are expected to play a pivotal role
in driving these markets.
“Geological potential, coupled with the
political stability of the host countries, is
expected to play a key role in fostering mining
activities,” noted Bhaskar. “In turn, it is likely to provide
PPE manufacturers with additional revenue-generation
opportunities in the future.”
AUSTRALIA:
HIGH GRADE ROCK SAMPLES
Australian heavy rare earths producer Northern Minerals
has announced high-grade copper assays following a
selective rock chip sampling program at the company’s
100%-owned John Galt Project, 200km south of Kununurra
in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia.
According to George Bauk, Northern Minerals managing
director and CEO, the copper results were an unexpected
bonus at John Galt. “While we are at our core a rare earth
focused company, we will always look at ways to add value
for our shareholders. As with rare earths, copper is an
important element in the electric vehicle revolution given
its widespread use in these vehicles. It is early days with
respect to these copper results, however we are extremely
encouraged by the widespread and high-grade nature of
the results received,” says Bauk.
www. africanmining.co.za